Fuel tank strap frame bracket

[johnday]

I'm in the process of replacing the bed floor on my '04 Ranger.
I was under it today spraying PB on the bolts, and noticed my rear fuel tank strap bracket had rotted away. I can find a strap, but I need the bracket as well. Anyone know where one can be found, or an alternative method of supporting the tank?

 

[Mark_88]

If it's the front one that happened to my 96 too. The rear strap was holding it up fine but I was considering having a piece welded in to replace the rotted strap slot. You could probably also drill and bolt something in there that would also work...

To replace the actual cross member isn't that hard...but it requires removing the tank, lifting the cab, and removing the old cross member...not really a hard job either...but takes time.

The cross members can be purchased...from what I read by other members...so really a matter of how much other work your truck needs to justify that kind of restore.

That's my 2¢ worth...but others will undoubtedly give you more options...

 

[Andy D]

I used about 10" of 3/8 threaded rod to rig the bodged repair I made back in'12. I had it hung from the bed,This time, I went to a hole I drilled in the frame rail.

 

[johnday]

That's my 2¢ worth...but others will undoubtedly give you more options...

I used about 10" of 3/8 threaded rod to rig the bodged repair I made back in'12. I had it hung from the bed,This time, I went to a hole I drilled in the frame rail.

Thanks guys!
I just might visit my dealer tomorrow, and see if Ford offers a replacement.

Now, I do have to replace the front crossmember on my bed. I plan on using a piece of unistrut I have, that already has holes drilled in it. Maybe I could take a piece of "all thread" with that, and rig up something.

 

[johnday]

OK, I had luck finding the bracket, the little Ford guy that sits in the corner and makes up names, calls it a gusset. At any rate, here is a photo of the bracket, er gusset, along with the part number. Funny thing, on the label on the box, this was labeled, "Vintage Parts", crap, the trucks only 13 years olde!!
Photos of my bed from above as well.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I just had to fabricate the passenger side of a crossmember on a 99. Couldn't find a replacement cross member, so I built my own repair. Should have taken pictures before the bed went back on


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[johnday]

I would have liked to see that, maybe better to prepare myself!
What did you use to fab it up?

 

[johnday]

Picked this bed up the other day, and started to work on it.. The junk yard removed the fenders for me so I could get it in my 150. Mostly just surface rust,except for the first two crossmembers, I'll have to rebuild those.
After pressure washing and drying, I plan to use Corroseal on the rust, topcoat it with rustoleum, then spray the snot out of the whole exterior with rubberized rustproofing.
Good news, I was able to break all but one bedbolt loose, luckily it's not the one over the gastank.

 

[johnday]

Still looking pretty rough, but got the rotted sections of crossmembers cut out, power brushed with my grinder, power washed and hung up to dry. Moved it into the barn to hopefully use some rust converter today, and start fabbing up the new crossmembers.
My welder took a major dump on me the other day, so it looks like I'll bolting things together, then reweld later on. It's getting too late in the year to be screwing around now.

 

[Andy D]

Your dawg looks grouchy Great work, hows the left frame rail?

 

[johnday]

Your dawg looks grouchy Great work, hows the left frame rail?

LOL, ya, he looks like that sometimes, he really isn't though.

I haven't taken the original bed off yet, but from I can see rummaging around under it, my frame looks good except for that rear gas tank strap mount. Needs to be cleaned up and repainted, hopefully I'll get into that this week. The Ranger is my daily driver, so I plan to have it off the road for a minimal time.
That is, what I "plan".

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I would have liked to see that, maybe better to prepare myself!

What did you use to fab it up?

I used a length of 1-1/2” or 2” wide flat steel. I’ll see if I can slide under the truck and get some kind of picture. I have a whole cross member, been thinking of trying to fab up a couple over the winter when I have time


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[american]

Need gusset for the 94 ranger gas tank strap